Help needed

[Scab]

Okay, here's the deal:

At one of our campuses, I have a testing lab (classroom) that I need to be able to view from another room in the same building. Actually, testing at this location is done by two separate people. I need the ability to view this room from two different rooms in the same building. No recording is required, just viewing. I have both electrical and internet in all three locations. However, the two persons viewing would need to have their computers available for use other than viewing at the same time. I have maintenance people that can run cable, etc. I have IT people that can do the computer thing (if computers are needed.) For ease and long-term trouble-free function, I can dedicate permanent required space/equipment for the task.

I am good with either computer-based viewing, or dedicated viewing equipment, whichever would be best for a long-term trouble-free function. What I know, is that this can be done. What I don't know is what exactly do I need to get this done and where to go to get it.

Thanks

 

[ionbeam]

Okay, here's the deal:
At one of our campuses, I have a testing lab that I need to be able to view from another room...I need the ability to view this room from two different rooms in the same building. No recording is required, just viewing....I am good with...computer-based viewing...Thanks

I've never heard of the women's locker room called this before

 

[johnny80s]

A simple web cam will do. You can view the cam from a web page and the page can have a password.

Your IT guys should be able to help.

 

[Scab]

I've never heard of the women's locker room called this before

This is the south. We have our own language.

 

[wfooshee]

You can get an Ethernet-attached camera from a number of vendors which has a web server built-in, no PC required to run the camera. Viewers simply browse to it in the Internet browser and log in. Putting the window in the background, though, or minimizing it, may make it less than effective, and if you have a requirement you have to meet for having the viewing up, that might not qualify. Sound like you're setting up something equivalent to a ProMetrics testing center.

You don't mention audio, and I bring that up because I know ProMetric monitors sound, too. If so, some of the Ethernet cameras made for surveillance do not include audio. If all you need is picture to make sure nobody's brought cheat sheets, then the camera alone is probably good.

Alternatively, you could just go with a closed circuit package, cameras and monitors and cables, and forget the PCs altogether. Probably more expensive.

 

[Scab]

What we do, is a placement test for all incoming students. (For correct placement in English and math) The test is done on computer. Results are printed immediately, then consultation is done with the student regarding the results. Ideally, the test administrator is located in an adjoining office with visual access. They built a new building, built a new testing lab, and forgot to put an office within visual range. So I need to be able to see the lab while they test. I don't need sound. I don't have to maintain constant viewing, but I need to keep an eye on the place to ensure no inappropriate behaviors occur or to ensure that no one should need medical attention and it go unnoticed. Basically, should someone try to sneak in to help a buddy or should someone pass-out, I need to know.

Cheap is good, but not a requirement. This web-cam sounds like it might do the job just fine. I'll have to do more research on those. (I'm a little behind on the ****-making technologies that are out there.)

 

[wfooshee]

What I would do then is an Ethernet camera, with a static IP on your network. It will provide a web service which a person needing to see its picture will browse to and log in, using IE, Firefox, Chrome, whatever they like. (Or Safari.)

We've had a camera from these guys before, and it was outstanding.

 

[HotRodZilla]

If you have to have someone monitering the video anyway, why not just have a TA or someone else in the room with the students? I mean; that's the way we did it back when I entered college before all this new-fangled technology stuff. If you cannot go that way, do you need the camera to be concealed or not. If not, a web cam is a great idea. If you need to hide it, there are lots of security companies that specialize in that stuff. Some of the ones we use look like smoke detectors and other standard objects.

 

[Scab]

This campus is a new start-up, so my personnel options are, well, none. A TA, or Work-Study student was considered, but are very limited in numbers and unavailable for this job. Also, with any student worker, I have problems with student privacy.

At my other sites, I have dedicated personnel, with an adjoining office and a viewing window. With this, there are no present options other than, make it work. That is my charge.

Right now, I am liking the ethernet camera with a dedicated IP on our system. However, there have also been some PM's with some addition information and even some posible legal issues that I had not considered.

All thoughts from all directions are GREATLY appreciated. This place is the best.

 

[v65]

If it's in the legal possibilities, you better wire that place up with some sort of cell phone neutralizer. I would also sensor all of the access points. So what happens when little Johnny has to go pee-pee during the exam?

BTW, if the exams are used to place the students in a course, let them cheat. They end up in a course that's too difficult for them, and they fail. Problem solved. If the exam can be used to place out of a course altogether, different story.

 

[Scab]

They are free to take a "nature break" during the test. They are not required to stay the duration in a single sitting.

I might raise more legal issues if I block cell phones altogether, considering a large percentage of our students are single mothers. The test is for course placement, so if they beat the system, the system will catch them later down the line. You can cheat on my test to get into English 101, but that isn't going to help you pass the class. In truth, the few issues that we have had were from "friends" coming in to help a student, or international students bringing translation dictionaries with them. Typically, if we are just keeping an eye on things, most will do what is expected of them.

It is unfortunate, or maybe a testament, but I have even tested mothers while they held their infant, or I have sometimes provided colors and paper for small kids in the waiting area while mom took her test. Some people are just determined to make it work, resources or not. With that kind of determination, I don't mind the occasional baby-sitting duty.

 

[johnny80s]

They are free to take a "nature break" during the test. They are not required to stay the duration in a single sitting.
I might raise more legal issues if I block cell phones altogether, considering a large percentage of our students are single mothers. The test is for course placement, so if they beat the system, the system will catch them later down the line. You can cheat on my test to get into English 101, but that isn't going to help you pass the class. In truth, the few issues that we have had were from "friends" coming in to help a student, or international students bringing translation dictionaries with them. Typically, if we are just keeping an eye on things, most will do what is expected of them.

It is unfortunate, or maybe a testament, but I have even tested mothers while they held their infant, or I have sometimes provided colors and paper for small kids in the waiting area while mom took her test. Some people are just determined to make it work, resources or not. With that kind of determination, I don't mind the occasional baby-sitting duty.

No matter what they say about you Scab you really are a good guy. :exhappysmiley:

 

[v65]

The test is for course placement, so if they beat the system, the system will catch them later down the line. You can cheat on my test to get into English 101, but that isn't going to help you pass the class. In truth, the few issues that we have had were from "friends" coming in to help a student, or international students bringing translation dictionaries with them. Typically, if we are just keeping an eye on things, most will do what is expected of them.

Now you are just one step away from self-placement; tell the administrators they built the space for nothing!

 

[artistonFJR]

I recommend a Predator drone... Nice looking UAV, great visuals and sensors (camera, IR), well armed, and great loiter-time, plus if you don't like what is going on in the lab you have the power to stop the activity immediately and permanently!

Hope that helps

Chris

 

[Grumpy]

What we do, is a placement test for all incoming students. (For correct placement in English and math) The test is done on computer. Results are printed immediately, then consultation is done with the student regarding the results. Ideally, the test administrator is located in an adjoining office with visual access. They built a new building, built a new testing lab, and forgot to put an office within visual range. So I need to be able to see the lab while they test. I don't need sound. I don't have to maintain constant viewing, but I need to keep an eye on the place to ensure no inappropriate behaviors occur or to ensure that no one should need medical attention and it go unnoticed. Basically, should someone try to sneak in to help a buddy or should someone pass-out, I need to know.
Cheap is good, but not a requirement. This web-cam sounds like it might do the job just fine. I'll have to do more research on those. (I'm a little behind on the ****-making technologies that are out there.)

No sound? How are you going to hear the moans and other sounds of passion when the room is being used for other purposes. I'd suggest that you reconsider!